Man Fatally Shot by Police After Machete Attack at McDonald’s

Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Footage Reveals Terrifying Incident in Woodland Hills and Calabasas as Homeless Man Attacks and is Fatally Shot by Police

Woodland Hills and Calabasas were the scenes of a shocking incident on November 1, as a homeless man attacked an individual with a machete before seeking refuge in a popular restaurant, where he was ultimately shot and killed by police. The incident, captured on video and released on Friday, offers a glimpse into the terrifying ordeal that unfolded on that fateful day.

The incident began when a man placed a distress call to 911, reporting that he had been attacked by another man wielding a machete at the McDonald’s located at Mulholland Drive near the 101 Freeway. “I was able to get away from him, and then he kept attacking me,” the victim recounted to the 911 dispatcher. Despite sustaining minor injuries, the victim did not require immediate medical attention.

The attacker, identified as a 35-year-old homeless man named Benjamin Pritchard, dropped his weapon and began wandering through the parking lot of the bustling shopping center when the police arrived. Dash camera footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows officers attempting to apprehend Pritchard near the McDonald’s, and later near the southbound 101 Freeway onramp at Mulholland Drive/Valley Circle Boulevard.

In the video, Pritchard can be seen charging at a police SUV with a knife, striking the vehicle before fleeing the scene. He then proceeds to run along traffic on Calabasas Road, passing by the Motion Picture & Television Fund complex, and eventually finding refuge in the parking lot of the Sagebrush Cantina, a popular restaurant and music venue in Old Town Calabasas.

Realizing the imminent danger, an officer urgently broadcasts a message through the SUV’s PA system, instructing everyone to seek shelter inside the restaurant and secure the doors. Security cameras and police body-worn cameras captured the violent conclusion to the harrowing ordeal.

Pritchard emerges from the restaurant patio holding a bottle and a knife, prompting an officer on foot to deploy a Taser. However, the Taser has little to no effect on Pritchard, who refuses to drop the knife despite repeated commands from the officers. With the situation escalating rapidly, the officers are left with no choice but to open fire, delivering fatal shots that bring Pritchard to the ground. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, while no officers or witnesses sustained injuries.

Authorities have revealed that Pritchard hailed from San Diego County and suspect that he may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. An official toxicology report has yet to be released. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will review the case to determine whether the officers’ use of deadly force was justified.

This shocking incident sheds light on the challenges posed by homelessness in the area and raises important questions about public safety. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by both law enforcement officers and civilians alike. As investigations continue, communities are left grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event and contemplating potential solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future..